NSSF Announces $200,000 in Grants for Collegiate Target Shooting

NEWTOWN, Conn., June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation invites public and private colleges to apply for a total of $200,000 in grants through its Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative.

To encourage the development of new programs, NSSF this year will restrict the grants to colleges and universities seeking to establish brand new shooting clubs and teams, and also those seeking support for new programs established during the 2013 spring semester.

NSSF, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, has awarded more than $900,000 in grants to 75 colleges to support shooting clubs and teams. Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.nssf.org/college. Applicants may request up to $10,000.

"Our goal is to tap into the large interest in target shooting at the collegiate level and to provide opportunities for students to shoot competitively and recreationally," said NSSF Manager of Shooting Promotions Zach Snow. "We are very pleased that CSSI grants have helped colleges across the country develop target shooting and firearm safety programs."

Schools that have received CSSI grants range from large universities to smaller community colleges and include Harvard, Yale, George Mason, Purdue, Ecclesia College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, CalState Channel Islands, Pratt Community College, Michigan State University, University of Florida and Texas A&M.

CSSI grant-supported programs have helped double participation at the ACUI Intercollegiate Clay Target Championship over the last five years. Snow reports that the ACUI office receives an average of 10 inquiries per month from parents, students and coaches asking how to start a college team and get involved with the ACUI tournament.

While competition attracts one type of student, recreational target shooting draws students who want an introduction to the shooting sports and firearms safety. NSSF grants are helping to establish these campus-organized clubs. Such widespread interest prompted NSSF to develop its "How to Start a Club" resource guide. The guide is filled with helpful advice on starting both competitive teams and recreational shooting clubs, and includes samples of membership forms and club bylaws.

Anyone interested in starting or strengthening a college shotgun, rifle or pistol team or club can find resources and grant opportunities at www.nssf.org/college.